Qin, who until recently was ambassador to the United States, will visit Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin and Egypt, between January 9 and 16, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press conference.
In Egypt, Qin is also going to meet with the secretary general of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
The new minister thus complies with the tradition of more than three decades of starting the year with a tour of Africa.
"This shows that China attaches great importance to traditional friendship with Africa and the development of China-Africa relations," said Wang.
China has become an important trading partner for the African continent and one of the biggest investors in infrastructure and mining projects.
Qin, 56, was appointed foreign minister on Dec. 30. He succeeded Wang Yi, 69, who replaced Yang Jiechi as the director of the Communist Party's foreign affairs office, the highest figure in Chinese diplomacy.
